Ignition system for explosion-engines.



P. R. WERNER.

IGNITION SYSTEM FOR EXPLOSION ENGINES.

v APPLIOATION FILED OUT. 5, 1908.

Patented Nov. 16, 1909.

atto'onaqo P. R. WERNER.

LGNITION SYSTEM FOR EXPLOSION ENGINES.

APPLICATION FILED OUT. 5, 1908.

940,376, Patented Nov. 16, 1909.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Witnesses P. R. WERNER. IGNITION SYSTEM FOR EXPLOSION ENGINES.

APPLICATION FILED 001*. 5, 1908.

940,376. PatentedNov. 16, 1909.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

fill 124 7) P aaon zzf P. R. WEENE'E.

IGNITION SYSTEM FOR EXPLOSION ENGINES.

APPLICATION FILED 001'. 5, 1908.

940,376. Patented Nov. 16, 1909. Y

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

Illlllllllll H i' ll llllllllllllll' Qvitnuaeo I //8 a fimwntoz M l/l/nm Q Z A M fikwmww UNITED PATENT PAIUL EoE'r. WERNER, or PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

reunion SYSTEM ma ExrLosroN-ENG'INEs.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, PAULVR. WERNER, a citizen of the United States, residing in-the city and county of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, haveinvented a new and useful Ignition System for Explosive-Engines, of which the following is a specification.

My present invention relates to an igni tion system wherein but one transformer (12'. e. induction coil without vibrator) is employed, the secondary or high potential current of which is conducted to the proper cylinders in consecutive order by the useof a rotating switch or selector; the primary current being produced by the proper action of the contact points.

- It further consists of a novel construction of an ignition system wherein I obtain a making and breaking of the primary circuit, the contact being produced for a particular-time interval to allow the complete saturation of the coil, and -a quick, sha' break, such contact being always performe in the same time and in the same manner regardless of the engine speed.

It further consists of means for causing the above mentioned operations to take place in different phases with operation of engine.

My invention. further consists of a novel construction of an ignition system wherein the manual labor commonly known as the cranking or turning over of the .e order to start the same is entirely, dis ensed with, since in my present construction by simply rotating the ,contact support I am enabled to produce aspark, the same as is produced when the engine is running.

It further consists of a novel construction of an ignition system wherein means are.

provide whereby thesecondary current may e shortcircuited through any particular cylinder or cylinders in case the operation of one or more of the cylinders becomes defective.

It further consists of means for causing the making and breaking of the primary current to occur at such times as may be necessary to operate the engine regardless of its speed, thus acting as a timer. L

It further'consists of means for bringing the spark lever-to normal position, 2'. e. lever in extreme retarded position, the spark occurring when the piston has reached the highest point in its stroke and the crank is startlgine in Specification of Letters-Rate. Patlllifld NGV- 16, 19f )9 pplication filed 0otob'er5',1908. sena11wo..4 7

a ing the engine to rotate in the proper direction and thus preventing the engine from stopping or'running in a reverse direction.

ing parts may e readily removed without the use of tools, and which while reliable and 'efiicient in action may be cheaply manufactured.

It further consists of a novel system bf oiling requiring but one oil hole and a minimum amount of oil and attention, the systemacting automatically to lubricate-all bearings.

It further consists of means for causing the en ine to become automatically inoperative siould the engine for any reason tend to run backward such as slowing down under a load.

It further consists of other novel features I of construction,'all as will be hereinafter fully set forth. v

For the purpose of illustrating my inven tion I have shown in the accompanying drawings a preferred embodiment thereo which has been found in practice to ive satisfactory and reliable results, althoug it is to be understood that the. various instrumentalities of which my invention consists can be variously arranged and organized and that my invention is not limited to the precise arrangement and organization of these instrumentalities as herein set forth.

Figure 1 represents a top plan View of an ignition system embodying my invention, certain parts thereofbeing removed for the sake of clearness of illustration. Fig. 2 represents a side elevation of Fig. 1, certain tain parts having been removed. Fig. 4"

represents a perspective view of the movable contact member on an enlarged scale. Fig. 5 represents a perspective view on an enlarged scale, of' the removable actuating I ing on its downward travel, thereby allowmember for the contact member. Fig. 6 110 represents a perspective view on an enlarged scale, of a removable guide, stop, and bearing member for the movable contact actuatmg meinber. Fig. 7 represents a perspective 'view of a spring clip employed to prevent improper movement of the movable contact in full lines more clearly the manner inwhich the'same is assembled and in dotted lines the position it assumes when the spring is compressed manually to remove or replace same. Fig. 10 represents a sectional view of a portion of my device showing more particularly the manner in which the cover is secured to the rotatable sup ort. Fig? 11 represents a sectional View 0 a portion'of the device showing more clearly the insulation for the stationary contact, and certain of its adjuncts. Fig. 12 represents a bottom plan view of the rotatable contact support in detached'position. transverse section of Fi particularly the terminaFs cylinders, the selector and its terminal and the primary terminal and its contact member. Fig. 14 represents a side elevation of a portion of Fig. 13. F ig'. 15 represents a sectional elevation of a portion of Fig. 13, showing more particularly the manner in which'one of the cylinders is short circuited. Figs. 16 and 17 represent perspective views of a portion of the mechanism seen in Fig. 15. i 18 represents a sectional view in detache position, of one of the contact members seen also in F 27. Fig. 19 represents a side elevation of one of the pins which co-act with the member seen in Fig. 16, and seenin position about to be assembled in full lines in Fig. 15 Fig. 20 represents a plan view of a portion of the shell showing the manner in which the same is 1 showing more flattened at certain points thereof. Fig. 21

represents a section on dotted lines w-m, Fig. 20. Fi 22 represents a plan view of a portion 0 my device showing in dotted lines the path in which the actuating member travels to co-act with the movable contact carrying member. Fig. 23 represents" a diagrammatlcal View showing the manner in which the contact carrying support is actuated. Fig. 24 represents a plan view of a portion of the device, certain parts thereof having been removed in order to more clearly illustrate the manner in which the spark is produced in starting on spark. Fig.

for the different Fig. 13 represents a 25 represents a plan view similai to Fig. 24,

but showing the parts in difierent relation to each other. Fig. 26 represents a .plan

view partly in section, of the actuating shaft. Fig. 27 represents on a reduced scale,

a sectional elevation of my device, certain parts thereof having been removed. Fig. 28

represents a side elevation of certain por-' tions of the controlling'mechanism. Fig. 29 represents a plan view of Fig. 28, certain of the parts being shown in dotted lines in '-the position they assume at certain times. Fig. 30 represents a diagrammatical view showing the parts in Fig. 23 in different relation to each other. Fig. 31 represents a diagrammatical view showing the wiring and the manner in which the different circuits are formed. Fig. 32 represents a perspective view of one of the insulating members, in detached position. Fig. 33 represents a sectional view of an insulating member and showing in addition a contact and its fastening device. Fig. 34 represents a sectional view of the device seen in Fig. 33. Fig. 35 represents a plan view of one of the contacts. Fig. 36 represents a perspective view of a portion of the fastening device seen in Figs. 33 and 34. i

Similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in the figures.

Referring to the drawings. In order to clearly set forth my invention 1 will first describe in detail In preferred construction and then the operation of the various parts. 1 designates a driven shaft which is oper atively connected with the engine in any suitable or desired manner. The shaft 1 is angularly recessed as indicated 'at 2 thereby forming a shoulder 3, the purpose of which will hereinafter; appear, it bein understood that the number-of such shoulders referably correspond to the number of cy inders in the engine. The shaft 1 is provided with an oil aperture 4 at itsouter end from which the oil may pass through a port 5 to the re-. cessed portions, it being noted that the intermediate portion of the shaft 1 is provided with a suitable oil groove 6.

7 designates a casing member rotatably mounted on the shaft 1 and having its up per endpreferably suitably recessed therey adapting the same to receive the shell 8 which is preferably constructed of steel tubing. This casing member 7 if desired may have suitable lugs or standards as see'nin Fig.27.'

9 designates a top member for the shell 8 which is suitably recessedin orderto receive the upper end of the shell 8, said to member 9, shell 8 and bottom member being' rigidly secured together by means of rods 10 secured to the top member 9 and passing through the member-7 it being noted that such rods are provided with nuts whereby the parts are secured rigidly'in assembled position. The shaft 1 has rigidly secured thereto by any suitable means set collars 12 and 142 which prevent improper longitudinal movement of the shaft 1.

13 designates an insulated bushing nonengage with the contacts 18 of the difl'erent cylinders. Instead of providing the contacts 18 of the difierent cylinders, with a comparatively small operative contact face as has heretofore-been the custom in prior devices with which I" am famihar, I provide an elongated contact surface, the lengthof which varies in accordance wlth the requirements met with in practice.

In order to save the expense of sha mg the insulation provided for the term na s on the shell which leads to the difierent cylin-' ders as well as the primary and secondary terminals-I have in the presentinstance, by

.- means of suitable dies flattened that portion of the shell 8 with which the insulation engages as will'be clearlyunderstood from Figs. 20 and 21, reference being also had to Fig. 13. It will be seen as indicated in Fig. 20 that by such means Iobtain a flat surface 19 on both sides of the shell. The inner insulating block 20 is provided with an extension which projects through the aperture 21 and interlockswith the outer insulated block 22, it being understood by reference tolFigi 151 that a pin 23 asses through the shell 8v and enga'ges theb ocks 20 and 22 to prevent their rotation. Y v

24 designates one of the terminals to which is adapted to be connected thewire leading to a desired cylinde1'.- The terminal 241s internally threaded as seen in Fig-.' 15 in order to engage with the'threaded end of the, connecting rod425. which latter passes through the interlockin insulator members 20 and 22, it being note that the inner end of the rod 25 is provided with a slot 26 thereby permitting the endof-the rod 25 to interlock with the contact 18 which latter is provided with an aperture 27 In order to prevent improper movement of the contact 18'the insulator block 20 is provided with a slot 28 in which said contact is seated when the parts are in assembled position. v In order to prevent improper movement of the terminal 24 a pin 29 passes therethroughand. into the insulator block 22.-

d gnates a primary terminal which is insulated fromthe shell 8 ma similar manner to the terminal24,1.but instead of employing a rodsuch as 251 employ a rod- 31,"a's seen most clearly in Figfl18, one end" of said rod being adapted to engage. with tlieterminal 30, while the other end thereof is deflected thereby forming a support on acent insulating material.

v seen in Fig. 27 the contact member 32 will be maintained in engagement with the plate 35, it being seen that the contact portion of member 32 is suitably recessed in order to receive the lubricating material 143 which would preferablybe graphite or other cur-- rent conducting material.

36 designates an abutment for maintaining the terminal 30 and its adjuncts in position; said abutment being prevented from improper movement after being once adjusted owing to the provision of the which engages said, abutment-and t e ad- .plate 35,.seen in Fig. 11 is insulated from the rotatable. support or. head 38 by means of the strips of insulation 39 and 40 and 'the. bushings 41 through one of which the fastening device 42 passes the latter being connected with the contact block 43.

44 designates a contact carrying membe which has preferably threaded engagement The contact with the stationary block 43 and is adapted to'b'e maintained in its adjusted position by.

means of the set screw 45, it being noted. 9 i

that the endlof the member 44 is provided with a. contact point 46. The head 38 is providexl in the present "instance with a h Oll0W shaft 47 which has a bearin in the. stationary to member 9 of the casing, the

lower end 0 said shaft 47 beingthreaded and with this threaded portion a set collar 48 is ada ted to-engage in order to maintain the rotata le. member-38 in assembled positioii with respect-to. the stationary top member 9 of the casing and its adjuncts, it being most clearly seen in Fig. 27 that the'top 7 member 9 has a raised portionthereby form- .ing a bearing for the underside 144 of the rotatable -member 38 as will be clearly. understood by reference to Figs. 12 and 27.

The movable contact 49 is secured-t0 a resilient arm 50 which'latter is bent inwardly as indicated'at 51 and then outwardly as indicated at 52, the ortion 51 of said member being secured'tolt e block 140 which form's with its adjuncts a rockerarm by deflectingr.

or swaging the outer edges thereof. over the portion 51' of'th'e member 50 thereby rigidly 1 securing the same-to theblock' 5140. It is in some cases desirable to use; a plate '145 in ,orderto prevent the distortion or buckl ng of the member .50 u to h W gi g Per-. .ation; p

53de ignatesa rigid memberj-one end of which is deflected in order to engage with the member. 50 and preventthe' improper vibration thereof. 3 The member 53 is deflected in order that it may conform to the tour of the block it noted that use said member 53 ,is rigidly secured to the block owing to the manner in which the sides of said block are recessed and the edges are deflected over said member as will be clearly understood from .Fig. 4. The opposite end of the member 53 .is deflected outwardly as indicated at 54 in order to form a bearing surface, the purpose of which will hereinafter appear. The block 140 is apertured as is indicated at 55 thereby adapting the same to be removably. mounted on. the pin 56, it being noted that when the parts are in assembled position the resilient member 52 normally engages with stop 146, the move ment of said member 52 in the opposite direction being limited by the stop pin 147.

The rocking of the block 140 in one direction is limited by the stop pin 57 while its move- 'ment in the opposite direction is limited by 20.

the stop pin 58, it being noted that the pins .146, 147, 56, 57 and 58 are carried by the rotatably mounted head 38. The stop 146 preventsdistortion of the member 50 while 1 of which is deflected as indicated at 65, the latter portion being provided with an aperture 66 and aslot 67which latter is formed by stamping out a ortion of the material such portion being eflected as indicated at 68 in Fig. 5, the end of said deflected p0r tion 68 being adapted to engage with, at

certain times the deflected portion 54 of the member 53 as'will be more fully explained in connection with the operation of the de- 69 may be i'eadily and guicklg eslre vice.

69 designates aspring one end of which is secured to a stud 70 carried by the rotatable head 38, the other. end of said spring being1 secured to the portion65 whereby the de ected portion 65. is normally in engagement with the deflected end 62 of the movable member it being understood as seen in Fig. 1 that one end of the movable member 64. is adapted to co-act with the shoulders 3 onthe shaft 1. In-order"that the spring desired, I cut away a member as'indicated in Fig. ,5 in order that the spring 69 may be the more quickly secured to such member as will be apparent from Figs. 1 and 5.

71 designates a-cover which is adapted to be seated on the head 38 as is indicated most tively.

removed when. amount of the clearly in Figs. 3 and 10, said cover being retained in position owing to the engagement therewith of the pins 72 whlch latter are carried by the rod 73 which is normally bearing or abutment for that portion of the pin 72 extending, on opposite sides of the rod 73.

7 6 designates a yielding retaining device which is most clearly seen in Figs. 7, 8 and 9, see alsoFigsfiZ and 3. This retaining device consists of a spring having the upwardly deflected sides 77 and rovided with the downwardly turned members 78 it being seen that the bottom of the device is provided with apertures 79.

designates a pin or stud carried by the rotatable head 38 and extending preferably horizontally therefrom to prevent the retainin'g device becoming accidentall removed. The object of the retaining device 76 is to prevent any improper movement of the member 140 and its adjuncts, the member 64 or the member 60. It will be noted that the lines in Fig. 9, whereupon the member 76 can be slipped under the pin 80 and when the ends 77 are released the apertures 79 will engage with the pivot pins 56 and 59 respec- Since any upward movement of the device is positively prevented by the pin 80 it will be ap arent that no upward movement of the b 00k 140 and its adjuncts or the parts 64 and 60 can take place. Owing to thepressureof the resilient members 78 a slight tension will always be placed on the 'memberl40 and also a desired'amount of tension on member 64 and member 60. I

wish to call particular attention to the fact that the ends 77 are deflected in such manner that any permanent distortion of the bottom portion of the resilient retaining device is prevented.

81 designates an apertured arm preferably integral with the head 38, the movement of said arm being-limited by the stops 82 and 83 carried by the casing '9. The stops are 'located'in such a manner that the spring actuated contact lunger 32, which when the parts are assembled passes through the aperture 84 as seen in Fig. 27, will be prevented from disengagement with the contact plate 35, seen most clearly in Fig. 12.

- I'will next describe the mechanism employed for short-circuiting one or more of. the cylinders when it is desired to test the working of any one or more of such cylinders, reference now being had more particularly to Figs.- 15, 16 and 17. 85-designates a plate which'is secured by rivets or equivav ment in order to prevent the same frompassstood that the lower end of the rods93 bear;

lent fastening devices to the shell 8, saidplate having a portion 86 thereof deflected outwardly and to this deflected portion one 'end of a spring 87 is secured. The'upper portlon of the plate 85 is deflected 'to' form a in the position indicated in full lines in Fig. 15-until the parts are assembled. The tongue 88 andaperture 89 form a hinge connection for. the plates 85 and 90. 92 designates apertures in the .casin member 9 through which the ends of rods 93 extend, one". of said rods being shown in detached position in Fig. 19, said rods being provided with a cross pin 94 or other suitable abuting through the apertures 92, it being underupon the plate 90 and the rods are held against casing member 9 by springs 87 and" when such rods are de ressed the plates90 assume the positions in icated in dotted lines at 148v in ,Fig. 15 when the parts are. assem-- bled in order to cut out or short. circuit a desired cylinder. When the parts are assembled, the late 90 assumes its normal position as in icated by dotted lines at 149. It will be understood that in Fig. 15 I- have shown in full lines the position the plate 90 assumes before @the top casing member 'is assembled with respect to the other arts. When the parts are assembled'the tension of the spring 87 maintains the late 90 in engagement with the lower en of the rod 93 as shown by dotted lines 149, Fi 15. ,The a'pertured arm 81 has connector therewith a connecting rod 95 to which is secured the coupling 96' having also connected therewith anactuating rod orlever 97. 98 designates an arm, one end of which is pivoted to the coupling 96, the other end thereof being pivoted at. 99 to a suitable fixed part such as the standard 100, whicliwould be carried by the car body or engine frame orother suit" able rigid part. 101 designates a lever provided at one end with a fork 102 the ends of which are pivotedon the rod 99. 103 designates asprin'g one end. of'which is secured to the arm "98 the other end thereof being secured to a'rod104, carried by the fork 102. The fork 102 isprovided with the lugs 105 which'engage with the lugs 106' thereby limiting the extent to which the arm 101 can approach the arm 98. The arm 98 is provided with an extension 107 i which at cerlain times is adapted to abut against the fork 102, the purpose of all of which will hereinafter morefully appear. 108 designates a stop for limiting the movement 6f the arm 101 in one direction. The arm, 101

one end ofwhich is. pivoted to the lever 101, the other end thereof being pivoted to a lever 110 which latter'is pivoted at 111 to a suitable fixed point, said lever 110 being provided with a resilient locking member 112 which is in'sliding engagement with the stationary rack 113. i

In order that the device will be suitably lubricated at all times the rotatable head 38 is provided with an annular groove 114,

seeFig. 27, it being seen that the oil passing through the apertures 4 and the apertures, 5 wil pass down one of the faced off portions 2 and collect in the annular groove 114 in the head 38 and gradually work its w y along shaft 1 and collect .1n the annu ar groove 115 formed in the insulating block 13 and pass through the channel 6 in the shaft 1, down to the bearin in the bottom mem her 7. 7 Any surplus 01 which collects within the casing will pass through theapertureS' 116 and thence totheshaft 1.

has pivoted thereto aconnectinglever 109,

. In order to more clearly describe theoper- I ation of'my device I have shown in Fig. 31 a diagrammatical view wherein is indicated the manner in which the current flows from the battery through the system. In this. figure, 117 designates the: battery'or other current sup 1y 9 from which the line. 118" extends, said'line. being grounded on the engine casing 119. 120 designates another line leadin' terminal 0 the current supply, said line "passing through the primary coil 121 to the terminal 30 and thence to the stationary contact 46, thence to the movable contact 49, then passing through the body of the device to the engine casing and thence through line 118 to the battery. The secondarycurrent passes from the secondary coil 122 by the line 123 to the secondary terminal 124' which latter has secured therefromthe battery'117 or other to a, contact plate 125 which bears .on'the upper face of the collar 14 and from thence it passes to the selector 17. In the present instance as shown by diagram, Fi 31, the

secondary current passes from se ector 17 to terminal 24 to spark plug' in cylinder 126 through the line 150. The s ark plug in cylinder 127 is connected by ine 128 with the terminal 24, the spark plug in cylinder 129 is connected by, its line 130 with its terminal 24*an'd the spark plug in cylinder 131 is connected bythe line 132 with its terminal 24. The current passes by lines carried by the casing member 9 with fastelling devices 136 whereby connections may be secured thereto in'order to maintainthe casing .of the entire device stationary and since any suitable connections may be em-' ployed for this purpose and since such connections will Vary in accordance wlth the machine to which it is secured I have deenied.v

it unnecessary. to illustrate ordescribe in detail such a construction.

' shoulder 3 will cause" the movable 'memb'er- 64' to be moved outwardly from its normal" spring 69 toa greater tension, it being-noted The operation 'of my .novel construction 'of ignition system will'now be readily apparent and is as followsb'lhe shaft 1 is operatively connected in any suitable manner with the engine shaft and at any desired ratio to the engine speed.' Assuming now that the shaft lrot'ates and the parts are in their normal position as seen-in Fig. 1 the 'osition in substantially ast-raight line, it eing understood that this movement brings that there is always a slight tension, on the deflected end 65 ofthe member 64. As the member'64 will be returned in a different manner from which it was advanced, as.

member 64'm'oves forwardly it h'as a -sliding bearing 'onthe bearing surface 61 of the member. GO-and'on the bearing surface 141 of the support 38. As the shoulder.3 passes,

beyond the inner end. of said member '64:,

the inner end of said member 64 will slide on the outer periphery of the shaft 1 and owing to the tension of the spring69, the

clearly-shown in Fig. 22, and-during its return movement the endof the member 68 will contact with'the deflected end 54 of the member 53 which latter is secured to'the block 140'thereby causing said block 140.

to be moved on its pivot 56 and the contact 49 will engage with the stationary contact 46. When 'the end of-the projection 68 engages with the deflected end 54 the block 140 will be oscillated on its pivot 50 against the tension-of the spring 52 and as soon as the member 68 becomes disengaged from the deflected end 54 the spring'52 will cause the block 140 and its adjuncts to assume their normal position as indicated in Fig. 1. The stops 14:7 and 58 are provided in order to render the device fool proof so that the ends of the member 51- cannot be injured by the distortion of such members.

I wish to call particular attention to the novel movement of the movable member 6 1' which is best seen in Fi 222. This member 64 travels in its forward movement in sub} stantially a straight line and against the tension of spring 69. As soon, however, as

the inner end of themember 64 enga es the periphery of the shaft 1 the inner en slides laterally and lon itudinally and the projecs. tion .68 is moved aterally in the opposite direction and -longitudinally. The member 64 which on its return movement slides von the'be'armg face 61 of the member 60 will have. substantially the same fulcrumas the guide block and stop (50 and by adjusting the relative location of the pivot PlI1'59 by locating the same in adifferent aperture as seen in Fig. 1 the are through which the contact portion of the member 68 moves on itsret-ur'n movement may be varied as desired and by sucha construction I am enabled to increase the strength of the spark since I am enabled to vary the length of contact. between themembers 68 and 5 k and thereby varythe amount-of contact between points 46 and 49. "The movable member'G-t has a-bearin against the face 141 of the rotating hea 38 so that lit is accurately guided in its forward movement by the bearing 141 and the bearingGl. the member (5-); noves rearwardly toward its neutral ,position the arm 65 will-abut against the stop formed by the projection 62 and the tension of the springcausesthe portion 65 of the member 64 to be retained in'engagement with the. projection 62 so that themembers (S4 and 60 act'as an, integral lever except when the member 64-is advanced by the shoulder 3 or returning to its normal position, so thatlth'e' inner end of the member 64.- will freely follow the contour of the periphery of the shaft 1. As the shaft revolves the selector 17 in the manner already hereinbefore described, picks out' the desired cylinder so that the current iscondueted to the spark plug thereof at the proper time. \Vhen the shaft lis rotated'in a reverse direction no contact will be made since the member 64 will simply be oscillated against the tension 'ofspring' 69 a'nd the member 64 will not be advanced.

In my present invention I havedesigned an ignition system wherein the engine may be started ,Without the usual cranking of the engine, which has heretofore been deemed essential, and in my present constructionl am enabled to'start the engine by simply. rotating the head 38, and I will now explain -th e mannerof operation of the novel mechanism which I have devised to accomplish this purpose. In the present instance I have shown a construction wherein when the actuati'ng lever 97 is pushed forwardly, the head 38 'will be rotated from the osition indicated at 138 until it assumes t e position indicated by 137, in Fig. 23. As the actu ating lever 97 is moved forwardly the lever 98 is-br'ought fromthe normal position seen tension of the spring 103 'cai'lsesithe actuating lever 97 to return to'its normal 7 position and the head 28 to be brought from the position indicated by 137 tothe spring 103 and since the spring 112 engages the rack 113 the parts 98 and 101 willbe re-' turned to their normal position as indicated in, Fig. 30, leaving the lever 110 in'its normal position seen in said Fig. In Fig. 24 I have shown the position'the parts assume when the head 38 is in such position that the arm 81 abuts a ainst the stop 82- and in Fig. 251 have-siown the position the partsassume as the head 38 returns to its normal position. It will be apparent that as the head-38 is moved to the position indicated in F ig. 24 the inner end of the movable member (i l will be moved into the next corresponding slot or cut away portion 2, so that the inner end of the movable memher 6 1 will abut against the next shoulder 3.

N ow as the head 38 returns to its normal position due 'to the tension of the sprin 103 as above described, the member 64 'wil be moved outwardly in the same manner as has herelnbefore been described with reference .to the natural operation of the device when the shaft 1 is rotating, and the movable member 64 will be advanced and as the head 38 rotates in the direction of the arrow seen in Fig. 25 it will be released as seen in Fig. 22 in dotted lines, and engage with the defiected end 5%, thereby rocking the member 140 and causing the'contact to be made between the movable contact 49 and the stationary contact 46.

In order to vary the time atwhich the spark takes place 1" employ the mechanism seen in'Figs. 23 and 30. Referring now more. particularly to these figures it will be seen that as the lever 110 is moved toward the right the lever 109 willbe moved in unison therewith, thereby moving the lever 101 away from thestop 108, and since the spring 103 is of sufiicient tension to move the rotatable head it being understood that the n1embers101 and 98 are pivotally supported at 99, the connecting rod 95 will be moved rearwardly so that the rotatable head'may be' advanced as desired from the position seen in Fig. 23 and indicated by'138 to the position indicated by-139.

In order to retard the sparkthelever 110' would be moved in a reverse direction and owing tothe lugs 105 on lever101 and lugs;

indicated in Fig. '29, move as if they were one integral lever and since the lever 98 is operatively connected with" the connecting rod 95 the head 38 will'be correspondingly moved and as soon as the lever 101 abuts against the stop 108 the parts will be brought back to their normal and neutral position. Bytheir neutral position I mean the position'the parts assume when the spark takes place at the extreme retarded position of ignition. The parts 98 and'lOl act as an integral bell crank lever in all'cases except when the lever 97 is manually actuated;

It is well known in the art that an engine does not always stop with its pistons upon their highest points but generallystops at a point slightly beyond the highest point of its throw, therefore, the selector 17 sometimes stops at such a point intermediate ad:

jacent contacts 18 that the spark will take place in the wrong cylinder unless some means are present to produce an explosion in the cylinder desired. Byemploying an elongated contact I am enabled when the selector has slightly passed the neutral point of the contact member 18, to produce an explosion in the cylinder which has just been passed, when the actuating lever 97 is pushed forward and allowed to return.

When it is desired to'test any one or more of the cylinders to determine whether they are operative or inoperative the operator presses down pins-93 which correspond to the cylinders which he desires to cut out or short circuit. The rod 93 on its downward moven'ient causes the contact plate 90 to move on the hinge formed by the tongue 88 and aperture 89 until the plate 90 assumes the position indicated at 148 in dotted lines for purposes of adjusting, to remove the cover or casing, the operator presses 1nwardly the rods 73 thereby causing the pins -72 to become disengaged from the cover171 whereupon such cover may be readily re-' moved. When it is desired to remove the member 140 'andits' adjuncts 64 or 60 it is simply necessary to' remove the retaining device 76 whereupon such parts, 140 and its adjuncts, and 64 and 60 may be readily re- .moved without the use of any tools whatsoever. I desire to call attention to the manner in which my device may be quickly taken apart and assembled since by simply removing the nuts 11. the casing member 9. casing 8 and the parts carried thereby and the rotatable head 38 maybe separated for inspection orber of contact devices carried. by the head" 38 andplocating such devices indifferent planes oropposite each other and by suitably arranging the selector or selectors 17 and the secondary contacts or their terminals I can run a one, two, three or four cylinder engine or any multiple of such num bers. If six cylinders are used I employ two contact devices located diametrically oppo site on the head 38 and employ three shoulders on the shaft 1 and six contact faces as IS in different brushes in di erent horizontal planes. For a one, two or three cylinder engine a corresponding number of shoulders would be made on the shaft 1 with a corresponding number of secondary terminals. The contacts 18 are preferably elongated and the length of such contacts is only limited by the length of the periphery of the selector since the distance between adjacent contacts must be greater than the length of the periphery of the operative portion of the selector, otherwise the current would not be conducted to the single spark plug desired.

An elongated contact 18 is not necessary unless it is desired to start on spark which it is understood is accomplished by actuating the lever 97. If it is not desired to starton spark a contact consisting of a single point is used instead of 18. I have preferred to show the contacts 18 as being lo cated in the same plane in which case only one selector 17 is necessary. By moving forwardly the lever 97 to start the engine on spark, the head 38 is rotated to allow the contact making mechanism to be moved to such a position that on the release of the lever 97 and the return of the head 38 to its normal position a spark is produced, and the head 38 is left in the proper position for the operation of the engine with spark retarded preparatory to the operation of the lever 110 to increase the speed and power of the engine. By rotating the head first forwardly instead of rearwardly a spark is prodnced directly, but in such cases it is difficult to return the head to its normal position quick enoughto cause the second spark to be produced at the right time to cause the next explosion, and I therefore prefer the method hereinbefore described, since the head 38 is, after producing the spark, in its neutral position ready for producing the next spark or explosion.

I desire to call particular attention to the fact that in my present construction I obtain a positive contact and the contact is not due to the inertia of the rocker arm 140 caused by the actuating member striking thereagainst, but in my present device the hearing face of the projection 68 slides against the bearing face of the projection 54 and causes the contact 49 tobe positively held against the stationary contact 46 for a desired time, or in other words until the spring 69 has drawn the projection 68 out of engagement With the projection 54 and the contact is maintained during the time Elanes and with two selector t that the projection 68 has sliding contact with the projection 54.

In order to prevent any excess pressure and undue jamming or binding the projection (38 against the projection (St, the contact. it) is mounted on a resilient arm 50 so that undue wear of the parts and any jamming of the projection Us will be positively prevented. It will of course, be understood that in conjunction with my novel construction I may employ any source of current supply either a battery, dynamo or any other suitable device.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that in my present invention I have so constructed the different parts that they may be stamped out of the metal so that the parts will be interchangeable, and since as is well known, it is much cheaper to stamp out the difi'erent parts than to machine them or to manually shape them, it will be apparent that an ignition system embodying my invention may be economically constructed without affecting the eiiiciency of the device. It will be apparent that the movable rock arm 140 is constructed in such a manner that there is no liability of any of the parts working or jamming loose since I dispense entirely with the use of screws or fastening devices which are liable to become loosened through the vibration, and I secure the parts in assembled position preferably by.swaging a portion of the body of the rocker arm 140 over the other parts carried thereby. The only nuts or screws employed in my construction are the nuts 11 which are not liable .to become loosened due to any vibration of the parts of the machine by vwhich the device is carried.

By the employment of my novel construction of ignition system in conjunction with an automobile the same is so compact that it may be placed if desired within the body of the automobile in proximity to the engine whereby I am enabled to employ a short driving connection and very short secondary cylinder leads whereby I am enabled not only to prolong the life of the insulation but also prevent any material loss of the electric motive force.

By mounting the contact mechanism so that the spark may be advanced independently of the driving shaft I produce a deyiee wherein I am enabled to dispense with a great many of the extra parts which have heretofore been deemed necessary in devices of this character and consequently prevent the lost motion which has heretofore been present in devices of this character.

It will now be apparent that I have devised a novel and useful ignition system which embodies all the features of advantage enumerated as desirable and while I have in the present instance shown and described a preferred embodiment thereof g which has been found in practice to give satisfactory and reliable results, it is to be understood that the same is susceptible of modification in'va-rious particulars without departing from the spirit'or scope of the in'vpntion or sacrificing any of its advantages.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Let-.

ters Patent, is

1. In anignition system including primary and secondary circuits, the combination with a casing of terminals carried thereby and leading tothe different cylinders and terminals leading to the primary and secondary circuits, a shaft rotatably mounted in said casing, a selector brush carried by said shaft and adapted to rotate in 2. In an ignition system including pri-' mary and secondary circuits, a 035111 a head rotatably mounted thereon, a s aft rotatably mounted in said head, contact producing mechanism carried by said head and adapted to be actuated by said shaft on its rotation, cylinder terminals suitably supported, a selector mounted on said shaft and adapted to rotate in proximity to said terminals, a primary terminal adapted to lead the current to said contact mechanism, a secondary terminal suitably supported and operatively connected with said selector, means for rotating said head to advance or retard the spark, the relative movement of said contact mechanism and shaft producing but a single spark for each explosion and the circuit remaining open when the 'contact mechanism and shaft stop at any relative location to each other, and'means for'rotating said head to produce a contact in the'primary circuit and a spark in the secondary circuit. when said shaft is stationary.-

3. In an ignition system, a stationary casing, a shaft rotatabl mounted therein, a selector brush carried by said shaft, cylinder terminal leads suitably supported in the path of said selector, a secondary terminal lead-suitably supported and electrically connected with said selector, a primary terminal lead suitably supported, a spring actuated plunger supported by said last named termiing, a stationary contact with which said plunger is at all times electrically connected,

a contact producing mechanism carried by said head and adapted to be operated by said shaft, means for rotating said head in one direction, and means for causing said head to automatically return to its normal position and during such movement to cause said cont-act device to produce a spark whilesaid shaft is stationary.

4. In an ignition system includin primary and secondary circuits, a statlonary casing, a shaft rotatably mounted therein, a selector carried by said shaft and insulated therefrom, selector lead terminals suitably supported and in the path of said selector, a primary and a secondary terminal, one of which is connectedwith said selector, a head rotatably mounted on said casing, a contact mechanism with which the other of said terminals is always electrically connected, said shaft having means thereon for actuating said contact mechanism on the rotation of said shaft, the relative movement of said contact mechanism and shaft producing but a single spark for each explosion and the circuit remaining open when the contact mechanism and shaft stop at any relative location to each other, and means for rotating said head to produce a contact in the primary circuit and a sparkin the secondary circuit while said shaft is stationary.

5. In an ignition system dispensing with a vibrating coil, a stationary casing, a shaft rotatably mounted therein, a selector carried by said shaft and insulated therefrom, cylinder lead terminals in the path of said selector, a primary and a secondary lead terminal, one of which is electrically connected with said selector, a rotatably mounted contact mechanism with which said rimary terminal is connected, a secon ary coil, a primary coil, a condenser bridging said primary coil, and said shaft having means thereon for actuatin said contact mechanism on the rotation of the shaft, the relative movement of said contact mechanism and shaft producing but a sin le spark for each. explosion and the circuit at the contact mechanism remaining open when the contact mechanism and shaft stop at any relative location to each other.

6. In an ignition system dispensing with a vibrating coil, a stationary casing, a shaft rotatably mounted therein, a selector on said shaft and insulated therefrom, cylinder lead terminals in the. ath of said selector, a primary and a secon ary lead terminal one of which is connected with said selector, a contact mechanism rotatably mounted and always in connection with said primary lead terminal, said. contact mechanism being adapted to be actuated by said shaft on its rotation, the relative movement of said contact mechanism and shaft producing but a single spark for each explosive and the ciring, a shaft rotatably mounted therein and recessed at its outer end to form a plurality of shoulders and having an aperture in its end communicating with one of said recessed portions and having an oil groove, insulation non-rotatably mounted on said shaft and having a recess communicating with said groove, a selector mounted on said insulation, cylinder lead terminals in the path of said selector, a primary and a secondary terminal, one of which is operatively connected with said selector, a head rotatably mounted on said casing, and through which said shaft extends, a contact mechanism carried by said head and at all times in connection with said primary lead terminal, the contact mechanism being adapted to be actuated by said shaft, a tension device for said head, and means for partially rotating said head against the tension of said device.

8. In an ignition system, a casing, a shaft rotatably mounted therein, a selector carried by said shaft and insulated therefrom, cylinder lead terminals suitably supported and in the path of said selector, spark producing mechanism actuated by said shaft, and means for short-circuiting any of the said cylinder lead terminals, said means including members movably carried by the casing and devices for moving said members into engagen'ient with said terminals.

9. In an ignition system, 'a casing, a shaft rotatably mounted therein, a selector carried by said shaft and insulated therefrom, cylinder lead terminals in the path of said selector, a primary and a secondary terminal one of which communicates with said selector, a contact mechanism including a stationary contact which is electrically connected with the primary lead terminal, said mechanism being actuated by said shaft, a movable member carried by said casing, yielding means for maintaining said member in normal position, and means for causing said member to engage the adjacent cylinder lead.,terminal to short-circuit the same. i

10. In an ignition system, a stationary casing, a shaft rotatably mounted therein, contact mechanism actuated by said shaft, a selector mounted 011 said shaft, :1 primary and a secondary lead terminal leading to said contact mechanism, and said selector cylin-. der lead terminals in the path of said selector, a plate secured to said casing in proximity to each cylinder lead terminal, a sec rods carriedby said casing and normally engaging said second plate, a spring secured to said first and second plates for causing the latter to normally maintain said push rod in elevated position, said push red when depressed causing said plate to contact with its adjacent cylinder lead terminal to shortcircuit the same, and means for rotating said head.

11. In an ignition system, a casing comprising a shell and a bottom and top casing member removably secured thereto, said shell having cylinder lead terminals thereon, a shaft rotatably mounted in said bottom and top members, a selector fixed on said shaft and insulated therefrom and adapted to move in the path of said cylinder lead terminals, contact producing mechanism carried by said top member and into which said shaft passes, a primary and a secondary lead terminal carried by said shell, the secondary of which communicates with said selector, the primary of which communicates at all times with said contact mechanism, and means for rotating said contact mechanism to produce a spark when said shaft is stationary.

12. In an ignition system, a casing comprising a shell and a bottom and top casing member rcmovably secured thereto, cylinder lead terminals suitably supported, a shaft rotatably mounted in said bottom and top members, a selector fixed on said shaft and insulated therefrom and adapted to move in the path of said cylinder lead terminals, contact producing mechanism carried by said top member and into which said shaft passes, a primary and a secondary lead terminal suitably supported, the secondary of which connnunicates with said selector, the primary of which communicates at all times with said contact mechanism, means for retating said contact mechanism to produce a spark when said shaft is stationary, and a device operatively connected with said means for varying the time of the spark.

13. In an ignition system, a casing comprising a-she-ll and a bottom and top casing member removably secured thereto, cylinder lead terminals suitably supported, a shaft rotatably mounted in said bottom and top members, a selector fixed on said shaft and insulated therefrom and adapted to move in the path of said cylinder lead terminals, contact producing mechanism carried by said top member and into which said shaft passes;

a primary and a secondary lead terminal car-f ried by said shell, the secondary of which communicates with said selector, the primary of which communicates at all times with said coiitact mechanism, means for rotating said contact mechanism to produce a spark when said shaft is stationary, a device operatively connected with said means for end plate pivoted to said first plate, push i varying the time of the spark, and manually llt) rod extending through said insulation and havingan elongated contact member secured thereto, a terminal connected with said rod, a shaft rotatably carried by said casing, a selector thereon adapted to move in the path of said elon ated contact, primary and secondary lea terminals, the secondary of which is connected with said selector, and a contact mechanism rotatably mounted and connected with the said primary leadterminal and adapted to be actuated by said shaft, said contact "device including means for preventing the producing of a spark" when the contact device isrotated in.-a reverse direction.

15. In an ignition system, a casing, comprising a shell and top and bottom members, means for securing said shell and members in assembled position, said shell having portions thereof flattened on its inner and outer periphery, insulation engaging said flattened portions and passing through said shell, a rodiextending through said insulation and having an elongated contact member ren1ov-' ably secured thereto, a terminal removably connected with said rod, a shaft rotatably carried by said casing, a selector thereon adapted to move in the path of said elongated contact, primary and secondary lead terminals, the secondary of which is connected with said selector, a contact mechanism -rotatab'ly mounted and connected with the said primary lead terminal and adapted to be actuated by said shaft, and means for varying the posltion. of said contact mechanism, said contact device includingmeans for preventing the producing of a spark when the contact device is rotated in a reverse direction.

'16. As a new article of manufacture, a lead terminal comprising a rod, a contact adapted to interlock therewith, insulation mounted on said rod and having a groove in 18. In a contact mechanism, a rocker arm, a contact resiliently carried thereby, a stationary contact, means for normally maintaining said contacts out of engagement, a movable member, a tension device therefor, and means for advancing and releasing said movable member and for causing it to return in a different path from that in which it- Was advanced, saidmember engaging said rocker arm to'produce a contact on its return movement, and a combined bearing and stop member movably mounted and with which said movable member is always in engagement.

19. In a contact mechanism, a stationary contact, a rocker arm comprising a block, a

resilient contact" carrying member secured thereto by deflecting the edges of said block over said member, a ri id member secured to said block by deflectlng the edges of the latter thereover, one, end of said rigid. mem-. her being deflected to maintain the contact carrying member from vibration; the other end of-said rigid member being deflected outwardly to form a bearing face, said resilient member having an arm extending therefrom, stops for said arm and rigid member, and means coactingwith said hearing face for actuating said rocker arm to produce a contact.

20. As a new article of manufacture, a circuit closing member comprising a I block adapted to be movably supported and having recesses in its sides, a resilient contact carrying member located in one of said side recesses and secured to said block by deflecting the edges of the latter thereover, a rigid member located in the other of said recesses and secured to said block by deflecting the edges of thelatter thereover, one end of said rigid member engaging said resilient memrue her to maintain the same from vibrating,

the other end of said rigid member bein deflected to form a bearing face. and said resilient member having an arm extending outwardly from said block.

21. In a contact mechanism, a movable support, a stationary contact thereon, a movable circuit closing member provided with a contact, means for actuating said member. to cause said contacts to alternately engage and separate, a pin on said support on which said member is mounted and from which it can be removed without the use of tools, a second pin carried by said support, and a resilient retaining device engaging said second pin and having an aperture in which said first pin is seated to prevent accidental displacement of said member. V

22. In a contact mechanism. a movable member, yielding means for maintaining said me'mber in normal position, means for advancing said member and effecting the release tliereoflineans positively engaged by said member on its return movement and advancing said member in a substantially straight path and for effecting the release and return of said member in a different path from that in which it was advanced, and devices coacting with said member on its return movement to both make and break a circuit, said means for advancing said member in a straight path including a movable bearing and stop member movably mounted and with which said movable member at all times engages.

24. Ina contact mechanism, a movable member, a tension device therefor, means for advancing said member and effecting the release and return thereof, a second movable member coacting with the return of said first movable member, a contact carried by said second member, a stationary contact 00- acting therewith to make and'break the circuit, means for preventing a contact being made when said advancing means moves in a reverse direction, and a combined bearing and stop member movably mounted and with which said movable member engages durin its advance and return movement an against which it normally abuts to maintain a tension on said movable member.

25. In a contact mechanism, a movable sup ort having a bearing face thereon, a com ined bearing and stop having a bearing face and movably mounted on said support a movable member adapted to engage said faccs, a tension device for said movable member, means for causing said movable member to be advanced in substantially a st 'aight path and for efl'ecting the release of said movable member, and means coacting with said movable member on its return movement to make and break a circuit.

26. In a contact mechanism, a movable sup ort having a bearing face thereon, a com ined bearing and stop having a bearing face and movably mounted on sald support, a movable member adapted to engage said faces, a tension device for said movable member, means for causing said movable member to be advanced in substantially a straight path and for effecting the'release of said movable member, means coacting with said movable member on its return movement to make and break a circuit, and means for preventing a contact being made if the means for advancing saidJnovable member travels in a reverse direction.

27. In a contact mechanism, a movable support having a bearing face, a pin on said support, a combined bearing and stop member mounted on said pin and having a bearing face, a movable member adapted to engage said faces, a tension device for said movable member, means for advancing said movable member in substantially a straight path and for effecting the return of said member in a different path, separate means coacting with said member on its return movement to make and break a circuit, and resilient means for preventing accidental isplacement of said separate means, said movable member and said combined guide and stop member.

28. In a contact mechanism, an apertured support movably mounted and having a bearing face, a pin carried by said support, a combined guide and stop member rotatably mounted on said pin and having a bearing face, a movable member enga 'ng said faces, a tension device for norma y maintaining said movable member against said stop, a shaft having a shoulder thereon for effecting the advance and release of said member on the rotation of said shaft, and means coacting with said movable member on its return movement to make and break a circuit.

29. In a contact mechanism, an apertured support movably mounted and having a bearing face, a pin carried by said support, a combined guide and stop member rotatably mounted on said pin and having a bearing face, a movable member engaging said faces, a tension devicefor normally maintaining said movable member against said stop, a shaft having a shoulder thereon for effecting the advance and release of said member on the rotation of said shaft, means coacting with said movable member on its return movement to make and break a circuit, and means for moving said support to advance or retard a spark.

30. In a contact mechanism, an apertured support movably mounted and having a bearing face, a in carried by said support, a combined gui e and stop member rotatably mounted on said pin and having a bearing face, a movable member engaging said faces, a tension device for normally maintaining said movable member against said stop, a shaft having shoulders thereon for effecting the advance and release of said member on the rotation of said shaft, means coacting with said movable member on its.

return movement to make andbreak a circuit, means for moving said support to advance or retard a spark, and means for moving said support to cause a spark to be made when said shaft is stationary.

31. In a contact mechanism, a movable member, a tension device therefor, a pivotally supported bearing and stop for limiting the movement of said member in one direction and for guiding saidmovable member in its traveh mea'ns for advancing said member to increase the tension thereon and for effecting the release of said member, means coacting with said movable member during its travel inone direction to cause the contactto be bothmade and brokemand means for preventing said movable member coacting with said contact producing means when the advancing means travel in reverse direction.

32. In a contact mechanism, a support movably mounted, a combined bearing and.

stop pivotally supported, a movable member engaging therewith and always bearing thereagainst, a tension device for maintainmg said member in normal position thereagainst, means for advancing said member and effecting the release thereof, and means positively engaged by said member on its movement in one direction to make and break the circuit, the travel of said member in one direction being in substantially a straight path.

33. In a contact mechanism, a support movably mounted, a movable member thereon and normally under tension, a combined guide and stop for said member pivot-ally supported and with which said movable member always engages, means for advancing said member and effecting the return thereof, and a mechanism engaged by said member on its return movement and intermediate the end ofits travel to make and break a circuit.

3a. In a contact mechanism, a support movably mounted, a movable member thereon and normally under tension, a combined guide and stop for said member pivotally supported and with which said movable member always engages, means for advancing said member and effecting. the return thereof, a mechanism engaged by said memher on its return movement and intermediate the end of its travel to make and break a circuit, and means for moving said support to advance or retard a spark.

35. In a contact mechanism, an apertured support rotatably mounted. and having a bearing face, a pm carried by said support,

acombined' guide and stop mounted on-said pin and having a deflected-end and provided with a bearing face, a movable member normally engaging said bearing faces and having a deflected end enga 'ing the deflected end of said stop, a spring or normally maintaining the deflected end of said movable member against the deflected end of said stop member, means for advancing sa1d movable member in substantially a straight path and for effecting the release and return of said member in a different path, said movable member bein always in engage ment with the bearing face of sa1d guide and stop member, and means coactmg with sa1d movable member on its return movement to make and break the circuit.

36. In a contact mechanism, an apertured support rotatably mounted and having a bearing face, a in carried by said support, a combined gui e and stop mounted on said I pin and having one end provided with a bearing face, a movable member normally engaging said bearing faces and having adeflected end engaging the end of said stop, a spring for normally maintaining the deflected end of said movable member against the end of said stop member, means for adadvancing means travels in a reverse direc- -tion.

37. In a contact mechanism, a supportmovably mounted and having a bearing face,

a pin carried by said support, a combined bearing and stop rotatably'mounted on said pin and having a bearing face, a movable member engaging both of said bearing faces when moving in one direction and having a deflected end engaging the end of said stop, a tension device for maintaining said ends normally in engagement, means for advancm said movable member and effecting the release and return thereof in a different path from the path in which it is advanced, means coacting with said member on its return movement to make and break a circuit, and means for moving said support to cause a circuit to be made and broken when said advancin means are stationary.

38. n a contact mechanism, a movable support, a movable member thereon, a combined guide and stop for saidmember movably mounted on said support, yielding means for maintaining said movable member normally in position, means for advancing sa1d member, means positively engaged by said member on its return movement and intermediate the ends, of its travel to make for advancing said mova le member in subv stantially a straight path and effecting the release and return of said member in a (lifferent path, said member engaging with sai I uce a contac circuit closing member to pro during such return movement, a lever oper:

atively conneeted'with said suppora and a on, a movable member, a tension device the circuit to be closed, and opened, a lever .support to advance or retard the spark.

tension device connected with said lever for maintaining said support in normal position whereby when said lever is actuated a spark will be produced when the advancing means for said movable member are stationary.

40. In a contact mechanism, a support rotatably mounted, a stationary contact theretherefor, means for advancing said member and effecting the return thereof in a different path from that in which it is advanced, separate means coacting with said movable member on its return movement for causing operatively connected with said support for moving same in one direction, and yielding means for automatically causing the return of said lever and the support connected therewith to normal position, whereby a spark will be produced when said advancing means is stationary.

41. In a contact mechanism, a support rotatably mounted, a stationary contact there on, a movable member, means for advancing and effecting the return thereof in a difierent path from that in which'itis advanced, separate means coacting with said movable member on its return movement for causing a circuit to be closed, and opened, a lever operatively connected with said support for moving same in one direction, and yielding means for automatically causing the return of said lever and the support connected therewith to normal position, whereby a spark will be produced when said advancing means is stationary, and a second lever operatively connected with said yielding means for causing the rotation of said sup-- port to advance or retard the spark.

42. In a contact mechanism, a support movably mounted, a movable member carried thereby, a tension device for said member, means for advancing said member and causing the return thereofin a different path from that in which it was advanced, separate means coactingwith said member during its return movement to both make and break the circuit, an actuating lever operatively connected with said support for moving the latter, a sectional bell crank lever pivotally supported, one section of which is pivotally connected with said lever, a spring for causing said bell crank lever to normally act as a single lever except when said actuating lever is actuated, a stop for limiting the movement of the other section of said bell crank lever in one direction, and a second lever operatively connected with said last mentioned section for rotating said 43. In a contact mechanism, a support rotatably mounted, means for limiting the movement of said support in both directions, a movable member carried by said support,

a combined guide and stop having a bearing face with which said member engages, a tension device for said member, means for advancing said member in substantially a straight path and causing the return thereof in a different path, separate means coactmg with said member during its return movement to make-and break a circuit, a tension device for maintaining said support in normal position, and means for moving said support against said tension device to cause a spark to be produced when said advancing means is stationary.

it. In a contact mechanism, a support rotatably mounted, means for limiting the movement of said support in both directions, a movable member carried by said support, a combined. guide and stop having a bearing face with which said member engages, a tension device for said member, means for advancing said member in substantially a straight path and causing the return thereof in a diiferent path, separate means coacting with said member during its return movement to make and break a circuit, a tension device for maintaining said support in normal position, means for moving said support against said tension device to cause a spark to be produced whensaid advancing means is stationary, and means for moving said support to advance or retard the spark.

45. In a contact mechanism, a support movably mounted, stops for limlting the movement of said support in both directions, a movable member carried by said support, and normally under tension, means for advancing said member and causing it to return in a diiierent path from that in which it was advanced, means coacting with said member during its return movement to make and break a circuit, a lever operatively connected with said support, a sectional bell crank lever pivotally supported one section of which is operatively connected with said lever, a spring for maintaining the sections of said bell crank lever in normal position, said sections having lugs for limiting the movement of said sections toward each other, one of said sections having a projection adapted to engage the other of said Sections when moved in one direction, a stop for the section moving in said direction, and actuating means for said last named section.

46. In a contact mechanism, a support movably mounted, stops for limiting the movement of said support in both directions, a movable member carried by said support, and normally under tension, means for advancing said'niember and causing it to return in a difi'erent path from that in which it was advanced,means coaeting with said member during its return movement to make and break a circuit, a lever operatively connected with said support, a sectional bell crank lever pivotally supported one section of which is operatively connected with said lot) omerc lever, a spring for maintaining the sections of said bell crank lever in normal position, said sections having lugs forlimiting the.

movement of said sections toward each other,

one of said, sections having a projection adapted to engage the otherof said sections when moved in one direction, a stop for'the section moving in said direction, an actuat ing lever operatively connectedlj with said last named section and movably. supported, a stationary rack and a retaining device carried by said last named lever and coacting with said rack..j 1

47. In a contact mechanism, a support, movably mounted, a movable member normally under tension carried by said support, means for advancing said-member and cansing it to return in a path ditierentf-rom that in which it was advanced, means coacting with sald member on its return movement to cause a circuit to be made and broken,a coverhaving apertures therein, and spring. pressed lungers carried by said'support and havmg deflected portions engaging said apertures to maintain said cover inassembled position.

48. In a contact mechanism, a support movably mounted,-a movable member car ried thereby, a combined guide and stop member pivotally supported and coacting withsaid member, a tension device for said movable member the tension of which acts I in a plane parallel to the longitudinal movement of said member, means for advancin said member and causing the return thereo in apath different from that in which it was advanced, means coacting with said mov-' able member during its return movement and intermediate the ends of its travel for caus'-,

and 7 means for controlling the movement'of said ing' a circuit to be made and broken support.

49. In a contact mechanism, a movable,

member, a tension device therefor, a pivotally supported bearing and stop for limiting the movement ofisaid member-in one direction and for guidingsaid movable member in its forward travel, the pivot of said bearmg and stop forming a" fulcrum for said movable member, means for advancing said member and causing the return thereof in a different path, said member rocking on its fulcrum during its; return movement, and

means coacting with said movable member during its travel in one direction to cause the contact to be both made andbroken.

51. In a contact mechanism, a stationary contact, a movable rocker arm, a contact carried thereby, a movable member, a combined bearing and stop pivotally supported, means for varying the position of the pivot of said bearing and stop, a tension device for sald movable member, and means for advancing said member and causing it in its return movement to actuate said rocker arm to produce a contact-the duration of said contact depending directly upon the location of the pivot of said bearing and stop and directly upon the strength of said tension'device.

' 52. In a contact mechanism, a support movably mounted, stops for limiting the movement of said support in both directions, a movable member carried by said support,

and normally under tension, means for advancing said member and causing it to return in a different path from that in which it was advanced, means coacting with said member duringits return movement to make and break a circuit, a lever operatively connected with said support, a sectional bell crank lever pivotally supported one section of which is operatively connected with said lever, a spring for maintaining the sections of said bell crank lever in normal position, said sections having lugs for-limiting the movement of said sections toward each vother, one of said sections having a projec tion adaptedto engage the other of said sections when moved in one direction, a stopfor thesection moving in said direction, and

actuating means for said last named section,

tuated said actuating means will be returned to normal position.

53 In a device of the character described,

a support, having apertures therethrough, spring pressed plungers mounted in said support at an angle to saidapertures, pins carried by said plungers and having their ends deflected at an angle to said apertures and passing through said support, and a cover seated on said support and adapted to interlock with said pins.

54. In a device of the character described,

whereby when said lever is oneratively aca cylindrical shell having apertures there- 1 through, a portion of said shell in close proximity'to sald apertures'being depressed and the, contiguous portion being pressed outwardly to form a flat surface of a desired extent on the. outer and inner peripheries of such cylinder in proximity to said apertures. .1

55. In an ignition system, a'casing, comprising a cylindrical shell and'bottom and top. members, fastening devices for securing the parts in assembled position, a support rotatably mounted on said top member, a cover removably secured to said support, contact mechanism carried by said support,

means mounted within said cylinder for selecting the cylinder to which the current is to be led, said means including" operative means for said contact mechanism, and means for securing said casing in'position 56. As a-new article of manufacture, a

cylindrical shell consisting of a tube of uniform thickness having apertures therem through, the inner and outer surface surrounding the apertures being flattened, in' combination with inner and outer insulating blocks engaging the inner and outer flattened surfaces of the shell, and means for E securing said blocks in assembled position i with respect to said shell.

I 'PAl L ROBI. WERNER.

Witnesses:

H. S. FAIRBANKS, C. D. McVAY. 

